Transport Select Committee: Evidence session on Trains fit for the future?

Final evidence session for this inquiry into how technologies such as electric, hydrogen and battery can be used to reduce the rail industry’s reliance on diesel-only trains.

In the first half of this session, the Committee will examine Network Rail’s strategy to decarbonise the rail network.

The second half will allow the Committee to assess the Government’s plans to decarbonise the rail network and how it intends to deploy alternative traction technology such as hydrogen and battery. The Committee will scrutinise the Government about how it intends to overcome the challenge of decarbonising rail freight, and look at the Government's support for SMEs and research and development. It will also look at the Government’s approach to accessibility and passenger experience on the rail network.

Witnesses from 09.30:

• Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, Network Rail
• Helen McAllister, Strategy & Planning Director, Network Rail
• Malcolm Brown, Chair, Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce
• Andrew Kluth, Lead Carbon Specialist, Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce

At 10.30:

• Chris Heaton Harris MP, Minister of State, Department for Transport
• Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport